13 Aug Dorset Jurassic Coast – Old Harry Rocks, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door
Dorset Travel Guide – Old Harry Rocks, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door
After spending three wonderful days exploring Cornwall (1, 2, 3) and a fourth day driving through Dorset on my way to Weymouth, I finally had a full day dedicated to exploring this beautiful region of England.
Dorset is home to one of the most spectacular coastlines in the United Kingdom — the famous Jurassic Coast.
With dramatic cliffs, unique rock formations and stunning coastal scenery, this area offers some of the most impressive landscapes in England.
Needless to say, I left my accommodation early in the morning so I could reach my first destination as soon as possible.
Old Harry Rocks – One of the Most Famous Sights in Dorset
My first stop of the day was Old Harry Rocks.
Whenever possible I try to reach famous locations early in the morning. Not only is the light often better for photography, but the places are usually far less crowded.
Experiencing a place without large groups of tourists can completely change the atmosphere.
One thing I noticed during my travels through England is that many areas still feel somewhat under the radar as major tourist destinations.
Despite the beauty of regions like Cornwall, Dorset and Devon, I rarely encountered the overwhelming crowds often seen in other European destinations.
Only later, when I reached the Cotswolds, did I begin to see large tourist buses and bigger crowds.
The drive from Weymouth to Old Harry Rocks is quite short — around 45–50 kilometers.
After arriving I parked the car and started walking towards the cliffs.
The path from the parking lot to Old Harry Rocks is straightforward and stretches for roughly 2.5 kilometers.
After paying for three hours of parking I began walking slowly along the path. For most of the route I was completely alone, which made the experience feel both peaceful and slightly eerie.
While walking I occasionally wondered if I was even on the correct path because there were no other people around.
Eventually I reached Old Harry Rocks where I saw a young couple flying a drone and capturing aerial photographs.
Old Harry Rocks
If you have the opportunity to use a drone here, I strongly recommend it.
From above you can capture the incredible contrast between the blue sea, the white chalk cliffs and the green grass surrounding the coastline.
I also believe this place could be fantastic for night photography. Being far from major cities means there is very little light pollution, and the white rocks visible under the moonlight could create some very interesting compositions.
Lulworth Cove – A Unique Geological Formation
From Old Harry Rocks I drove roughly 28 kilometers to Lulworth Cove.
After parking the car I started exploring the area on foot.
Depending on your level of fitness, it is possible to walk from Lulworth Cove all the way to Durdle Door. However, since I was traveling by car and had already planned several stops that day, I decided not to make the full walk.
Parking here was around £4 for two hours.
One regret I had while visiting Lulworth Cove was not having a wide angle lens with me. The shape of the cove is so impressive that a wider lens would have helped capture the entire landscape better.
Still, even with my limited lens I was amazed by the scenery.
The Jurassic Coast is truly one of those places that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.
Whether it is West Bay, Old Harry Rocks, Lulworth Cove or Durdle Door, the entire coastline is simply spectacular.
Durdle Door – One of the Most Photographed Places in England
The next stop was Durdle Door, located just a few minutes away by car from Lulworth Cove.
The same parking area can be used for both locations.
Just like in most places across the UK, parking operates under the “pay and display” system.
Durdle Door is easily one of the most Instagram-famous places in Britain.
Ever since I first saw a photo of the iconic natural arch rising from the sea, I knew I wanted to visit it and capture my own photographs there.
Durdle Door
Standing there and looking at the natural arch rising from the sea was even more impressive than I expected.
Durdle Door cliffs
One regret I had was not returning here at night.
The photography possibilities are incredible and many photographers have captured stunning night images here with stars above the arch.
Why Dorset Is One of the Most Beautiful Places in England
I have always said that Italy is my favorite country.
And in many ways it still is.
But I must admit that England holds a special place in my heart.
The country offers an incredible diversity of landscapes — charming villages, stunning cliffs, quiet bays, ancient historical sites and mysterious prehistoric structures.
All of these combine to create an amazing destination.
Whether you are interested in history, nature or photography, the United Kingdom has something to offer.
While editing this article and browsing through my photos again, I also looked at recent images posted on Instagram from some of these locations.
And I realized something.
I will definitely return here someday.
Even though I visited many incredible places in Cornwall, Dorset and Devon, there are still countless locations waiting to be discovered.
And who knows — maybe next time I will capture those night photos at Durdle Door.
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